Episode 488: Jak & Daxter

Few series are so divisive as the Jak (and, arguably, Daxter) games, spread far too thinly across PlayStation 2 and PSP in their short but glorious reign. Join host Stuart Gipp and guests John Linneman and Thomas Nickel for a hop, skip, jump and headshot across the fantasy-turned-futuristic world of Naughty Dog's all-but-forgotten franchise.  

Every game in the series is covered—yes, including that one. We've got anecdotes, we've got technical insight, we've got secrets and, best of all, we've got enthusiasm for these raucous romps. Unexpectedly, the gang are united in their love for the franchise, from its humble beginnings as "Crash Bandicoot with knobs on" all the way through its darker, less Banjo-Kazooie sequels. Hell, we even loved Jak X, which is ostensibly Jak Kart.  

Thankfully Sony has kept the series alive through re-releases on PS3 and PS4, and we talk about those versions too in order to determine the best way to play you some Jak. There's also the Vita version, which, eh, maybe don't get your hopes up.  

Is there a future for the Jak series? I, Stuart Gipp, say "probably not", as Naughty Dog are too busy with their silly morose man games now. Pish!

Edits by Greg Leahy; art by Leeann Hamilton.

• 15:34 - Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy: Mountain Pass
• 26:22 - Karl Jenkins: Adiemus
• 35:09 - Jak II: Haven Exploration
• 48:08 - Jak II: Guard Pursuit
• 59:05 - Jak II: Arena Race
• 1:08:25 - Jak 3: Metal Head Hunt
• 1:17:31 - Jak 3: The Universe Calls | Queens of the Stone Age: You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire
• 1:25:49 - Daxter: Matrix Dream Level
• 1:34:25 - Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier: Shoot Down Sky Pirates
• 1:46:31 - PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale: Black Rock Stadium
• Closing - Jak 3: Dark Maker Finale